Page 27 of Saving Little Clark

Brody's eyes widened, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Will, that's incredible. I'm so happy for you, for both of you.”

Alex beamed, nuzzling into Will's side like a contented kitten.

"You know, Clark," Brody said, turning to me with a playful grin. "I'm starting to think you might be a bit of a troublemagnet. Every time I turn around, you're in the middle of some kind of mischief or mayhem."

I laughed, feeling a flush of pleasure at his teasing tone. "I prefer to think of it as a talent for attracting excitement and adventure," I said, batting my lashes at him. "But I can see how a boring old fuddy-duddy like you might mistake it for trouble."

Brody gasped, clutching at his chest in mock-offense. "Oh, please. I am the epitome of cool and hip. I even know how to use emojis and everything."

I snorted, shaking my head in amusement. "Ooh, emojis. Be still my beating heart."

He grinned. "Oh, I'll still your beating heart, alright. With my devastatingly handsome good looks and wit."

"More like with your cheesy pickup lines and delusions of grandeur," I retorted, but I could feel my cheeks heating up, my pulse quickening at the heat in his gaze.

He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, intimate rumble. "Admit it. You find me irresistible. You can't get enough of my dashing charm and good looks."

I bit my lip, feeling a thrill of excitement and arousal zipping through me like an electric current. "In your dreams," I murmured, but the words lacked heat.

Alex's voice broke the spell, his high-pitched giggle cutting through the charged silence like a knife.

"Uncle Brody, come play with me!" he called, waving a stuffed dinosaur in the air enticingly. "You can be the T-Rex, and I'll be the baby raptor, and we can have a big dino adventure together."

Brody blinked, shaking his head as if to clear it of the haze of desire that had settled over us. "Duty calls," he said ruefully, shooting me an apologetic grin. "To be continued?"

Then he was moving away, dropping to his knees beside Alex and immediately launching into a goofy, growling impression of a T-Rex on the hunt.

I watched them play, feeling a rush of fondness and longing. This was what I wanted, what I had always yearned for.

As if sensing my thoughts, Will sidled up to me, bumping his shoulder against mine with a knowing grin. "I don't think I've ever seen Brody so gone on someone before. He lights up like a Christmas tree every time you walk into the room. And from the looks of it, the feeling is entirely mutual. So what are you waiting for?”

I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves and squaring my shoulders. He was right.

I turned back to where Alex and Brody were happily playing on the floor, their laughter and silly sound effects filling the room with warmth and joy.

"Hey, you two," I called, putting on my best stern voice. "What's this I hear about a dino adventure? You know the rules. No adventures allowed without proper adult supervision."

Alex pouted, his lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated sulk. "But Clarkie," he whined, drawing out the last syllable. "Uncle Brody is a proper grownup. He's super old and responsible and stuff."

Brody gasped, clutching at his chest in mock-outrage. "Old? I'll have you know I am in the prime of my life, the very picture of youthful vigor and vitality."

"More like the picture of delusion and denial," Will muttered, earning a glare from Brody and a giggle from Alex.

I shook my head, fighting back a grin. "Be that as it may," I said, putting my hands on my hips in my best superhero pose, "I have to insist on joining this little expedition. Just to make sure you two troublemakers stay out of mischief, of course."

"Of course," Brody said. "So, how shall we brave the wilds of Clark's living room and emerge victorious?"

I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Well, first things first. We'll need provisions. Snacks and juice boxes, to keep our strength up for the long journey ahead."

"I want goldfish crackers!" Alex piped up, bouncing on his heels excitedly.

"And I'll take a juice box," Brody added, grinning at me rakishly. "Fruit punch flavor, please and thank you. We'll need to stay hydrated if we're to fight off hungry dinos."

Will snorted. "Dinos drink water, idiot. Not fruit punch."

"Maybe boring old dinos like you do," Brody retorted. "But cool dinos like me and Clark? We run on pure sugar and artificial coloring."

"Yeah, and it shows," Will muttered, rolling his eyes. "Alright, fine. Goldfish crackers and juice boxes it is. But I'm making a veggie platter too, just to balance out all that junk food."

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